Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 6, 2026

Scalable Syntheses of Graphene Oxide and Reduced Graphene Oxide using Cascade Design Oxidation and Highly Basic Reduction Reactions
Published on: July 3, 2025
Carbon black-derived graphene quantum dots composited with carbon aerogel as a highly efficient and stable reduction
Chun-Chieh Wang1, Shih-Yuan Lu
1Department of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing-Hua University, Hsin-Chu 30013, Taiwan. SYLU@mx.nthu.edu.tw.
Abstract:
A microwave-assisted oxidative cleavage process is developed to prepare graphene quantum dots (GQDs) from carbon black. The size evolution of the resulting carbonaceous products is studied. In one hour, GQDs of a size less than 10 nm and thickness less than 2 nm are obtained. These GQDs are further composited with mesoporous carbon aerogels (CA) by a filtration process to form GQD-decorated CA composites (GQD/CA). The GQD/CA composite is applied as a catalyst electrode for the reduction of I3(-) to I(-), a critical electrolyte regeneration reaction in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Also investigated are Pt electrodes, the expensive traditional counter electrode material for DSSCs, and plain CA electrodes for comparison. Based on data derived from cyclic voltammograms and Tafel plots, the GQD/CA composite exhibits catalytic efficiencies comparable to that of Pt electrodes and better than that of plain CA electrodes. The GQD/CA electrodes, however, surpass the Pt electrodes in terms of long-term stability. The cathodic current drops significantly after 500 cycles for the Pt and plain CA electrodes, whereas the cathodic current is slightly increased for the GQD/CA electrodes. The GQD/CA composite thus proves to be an inexpensive, efficient, and stable alternative to Pt as the counter electrode material for DSSCs.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Carbon-dioxide Fixation
The Carbon Cycle
Carbon Skeletons
Carbonation Shrinkage
The concrete's permeability is slightly reduced as calcium carbonate produced during the reaction fills its pores. Furthermore, its strength is slightly enhanced as the water released during the reaction...
Carbon-13 (¹³C) NMR: Overview
Carbon Dioxide Transport in the Blood
Forms of CO2 Transport
1. Dissolved in plasma: A small percentage (7-10%) of CO2 is transported and dissolved directly in the plasma.
2. Carbaminohemoglobin: Just over 20% of CO2 is chemically bound to...

